Guidelines for Dual Pricing in Levs and Euros for Businesses

Bulgaria is taking decisive steps toward joining the euro area, as the Ministry of Finance has initiated the publication of detailed guidelines to assist merchants in the transition process. New instructions for the dual display of prices for goods and services and for cash payments for purchases in both euro and levs are now available on the official portal dedicated to the single European currency—evroto.bg. The information was disseminated by the press center of the Ministry of Finance, emphasizing the government's commitment to transparency and preparation.

The document is the result of the in-depth work of the expert group , which is part of the Coordination Council for the Preparation of the Republic of Bulgaria for Membership in the Euro Area. The guidelines are fully compliant with the requirements of the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria (LIE), which outlines the legal framework for the process. The main objective of the publication is to provide additional clarity on the application of key provisions of the LIE.

According to the published information, the guidelines specify two main periods. The first is the period of dual price display, which will last for a full 12 months—from August 8, 2025, to August 8, 2026. During this time, merchants will be required to show prices simultaneously in levs and euro to ensure a smooth transition for consumers. The second important period is that of dual circulation, in which both currencies will have the status of legal tender. This period is fixed from January 1 to January 31, 2026, giving citizens and businesses time to adapt to the new currency environment.

Clear rules for merchants and a grace period for adaptation

The guidelines are aimed specifically at merchants in the non-financial sector, clarifying that separate, special provisions of the LIE apply to financial services. To avoid confusion, the document provides general but extremely important recommendations on how to format price tags. These include the requirement for clear and legible writing of prices, with the font size for levs and euro needing to be the same. The necessity of using standardized abbreviations and distinguishing marks such as лв., €, BGN and EUR to avoid misunderstandings is also emphasized. At the same time, merchants are advised to avoid any additional or excessive elements that could confuse customers.

The document covers a wide range of scenarios, providing specific recommendations on how to apply the rules for dual display for different types of goods and services. The guidelines explain how to handle packaged goods, bulk goods, or services offered outside of retail outlets. To further assist businesses, the Ministry of Finance has also developed and published sample visual materials to serve as a clear example of the correct formatting.

According to the latest amendments and additions to the Law on the Adoption of the Euro, approved by the National Assembly, merchants are required to display prices in levs and euro for a period of 12 months, starting from August 8 of this year. At the same time, the state has also provided a grace period for businesses, which will ease the transition. During the first two months after the obligation comes into force, control authorities will not impose fines, and will instead be limited to issuing written instructions. This measure aims to encourage voluntary compliance with the rules and give merchants enough time to adapt to the new requirements without being financially penalized, according to BTA. The transition to the euro is shaping up to be a key moment for the Bulgarian economy, and the published guidelines are an important step toward ensuring its smooth implementation.